Migraine Day and Special Needs Effects {Epilepsy Awareness}

I woke up with a mild migraine this morning and knew I would have to return to the bed. I hate days like this. Migraines are the unfortunate side effect of having had Epilepsy as a child (for me and for my oldest daughter). It’s often hard to tell if a migraine, for me, is caused because of an imbalance (brain) or because of my sinuses, since both both me at times. I believe this one was from an imbalance due to stress.

The last month as been an extremely busy one, filled with ups and downs, going here and there, and barely any time for rest. This weekend was the last busy one for a month and didn’t allow for a lot of rest, though there was a tremendous amount of fun for all involved. I’m thrilled to have been a part of it and I’m just as thrilled for it to be over with.

Dealing with a migraine is never fun. Waking with one this morning, I knew I would spend most of my day in bed and I certainly have. After napping to rid myself of the main effects of this major headache, then checking on my sweet children, I have gotten caught up with my world online. There wasn’t much else to do while waiting for my head to completely ease off.

I find that taking my allergy meds, which I do daily, taking an Aleve, drinking a Pepsi and eating a Hershey’s chocolate bar, my headache will sometimes disappear, especially if I do all of this early in the process. Today it’s certainly worked for me, though I know from previous experience that it can return at any time. A good nights sleep is what’s needed to really keep this mild migraine from returning and turning into a Super-Sized-Sick-All-Around Migraine.

As I think about all my girls will go through with their Epilepsy and it’s atrocious after-effects, I feel sad and a little guilty that I have passed this on to them. It breaks a Momma’s heart to know her children have something like this hidden illness that causes them to not be completely perfect health wise. It breaks my heart to know all of the pain they have endured and will endure because of this disorder throughout their lifetime. One never knows the effects Epilepsy will have on their life. Until you become a parent with a child who has a disorder like this one, it’s hard to understand HOW much it truly does effect a child’s and a parent’s life.

Growing up, I knew the effects of Epilepsy as a person living with it. I, thankfully, don’t remember my convulsive seizures but I do remember the tests, the weirdness I sometimes felt when I had an Epileptic episode that was non-convulsive, and the sadness I felt when a teacher would yell at me because I wasn’t “listening”. (No I wasn’t listening because I was seizing and you didn’t know it.) The impact of this disorder on my own life caused me to relearn everything I could for my children when it became their turn to suffer through this. It also impacted my decision to homeschool my children so that they wouldn’t have to deal with an imperfected educational system set up for millions of children who are considered normal.

I’m thankful that the effects of our busy season, the Holidays and Birthdays, has had mild effects on all my children. I’m thankful that it’s me sitting here with this mild migraine instead of the girls. I’m thankful to know what they go through and know how to handle it, for the knowledge God himself has bestowed upon me.

Recently, I had a friend tell me I home school because I’m afraid to let go of my children, that I do it for myself. Maybe, partially, I do. I know how easy it is for God to take a child home to Him. I want to enjoy every selfish and selfless moment I have been given with these three beautiful children by Him. I am afraid to lose my girls to this disorder, to let them go into an imperfect institution that is not prepared to handle their seizing IF it was to happen. I cannot live with that maybe, that IF. I would never forgive myself if something were to happen that could have been easily prevented at home, under guidance of someone who knew how to handle the effects of their disorder.

It’s easy for anyone to look at my children and say “oh they look normal”, or “there’s nothing wrong with them”. Looks can be so deceiving and yes my children’s respective disorders could be much worse than they are. I’m thankful everyday that they aren’t, that I am able by God’s hands to be able to deal with each of their individual special needs. The life of a Mom with special needs children is exhausting and it never ends. There will be no end for my girls with this disorder, even if it goes into remission. Like Cancer, Epilepsy can always return, unexpectedly at any time. Until the day I die, I will be on my knees praying it goes away and does not return but even this is not a promise it won’t. However, when it comes up, when they have bad days, and good ones, I’ll be there beside them battling away the demons and receiving the love and hugs and happy smiles that come.

For those wondering, my son does not have Epilepsy but he does have ADHD, as does my step-son, which is a disorder very similar to Epilepsy but instead of resulting in seizures that shut their bodies down, as Epilepsy does, ADHD results in hyperactivity and impulsiveness that is caused by over activity in the imbalances of the brain. My son is not medicated for his disorder but my step-son is. My son does not attend Public School because of his disorder and also his sisters disorders, while my step-son does attend, by his families choice.

Both these disorders, Epilepsy and ADHD, treatments are very similar and can sometimes (not always) be controlled without medication by adjusting your child’s schedule, sleep patterns, and home environment as my son and oldest daughters are controlled. My youngest requires all of the above and also medication to control her seizures at this time but as time goes on I hope to be able to remove the medication and control her episodes through the same balance and structure provided for her older siblings. Only time can tell what will happen with this.

When my oldest was going through the days and months of her first seizure, my brother told me the wisest piece of advice I know. He said, “We dealt with this with you and made it through and we will deal with it and make it through hers too”. Funny that as time has gone on, due to his own life, we are no longer close, meaning he is no longer dealing with it (or my sister either for that matter, both because of their own choices in life) but his words have always stuck with me and they are definitely true. I have made it this far, they have made it this far and I will keep fighting with and for them for all the things they each need to over-come their each of their special needs.

They have changed my life for the best and I would never have it any other way. I’m thankful for the gifts they are in my life. And if you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading my blah blah blah blog.